A man who was once on the most wanted list in Massachusetts appeared in a New Hampshire courtroom Wednesday on charges related to a high-speed chase in Londonderry.

William Gervais is facing several charges in connection with the July 14 chase. Police said he stole nine cans of baby formula from Hannaford and then led police on a chase with his infant son in the car.

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"I panicked," Gervais said. "I didn't want to go back to jail."

Prosecutor Scott Jordan said Gervais was confronted after the baby formula theft and ran to his car.

"After being caught shoplifting, he ended up pulling the child into the car onto his lap, holding the child and taking off," Jordan said.

Jordan said police then gave chase.

"The defendant continued driving at a high rate of speed, at times in excess of 55 to 60 mph in a 35 mph zone," Jordan said.

Police said Gervais kept his infant son on his lap and put other lives in danger during the chase.

"At one point, he was going over a solid yellow line to pass, forcing oncoming traffic off the road," Jordan said. "In fact, he caused one vehicle to actually crash."

The driver of that vehicle wasn't injured. At that point, police called off the chase, and an arrest warrant was issued for Gervais.

In asking for lower bail, Gervais noted that he turned himself in, adding that he has a drug problem and is looking for help. He also said that that his girlfriend, who was with him when the baby formula was taken, was innocent.

"It was spontaneous," he said. "It wasn't a planned thing. We were going there to get food, and it just came about that she wanted nothing to do with it."

The prosecutor asked for cash bail, saying that Gervais has a long criminal history and was once on the Massachusetts most wanted list.

The judge set bail at $10,000 cash or surety. He was ordered to stay away from his son if he makes bail.

Gervais is scheduled to back in court next week for a probable cause hearing.